"Exorbitant profits are unlikely to occur again." The emperor pointed out the principle, "monopoly is also not allowed. Of course, this refers to domestically."
Domestic? Abroad!
Wu Dazhang was a little confused. Could it be that the salt merchants and maritime merchants were allowed to compete for profits?
This is the limitation of the vision of the people of the Ming Dynasty. When they talk about foreign countries, they almost always mean overseas.
The emperor didn't know Wu Dazhang had misunderstood. While thinking, he continued, "Expanding territory or conquering foreign countries are both good business opportunities. It all depends on whether they have the courage to do so."
Borrow money, or issue bonds, and wage wars abroad. If you win, everyone will share the profits; if you lose, doing business also has risks, how can everyone succeed and make money?
But the emperor's idea was still too innovative and beyond imagination for the people of the Ming Dynasty.
So, Wu Dazhang was stunned when he heard it, blinking slowly, trying hard to digest the shocking information uttered by the emperor.
Zhu Youxiao just said it casually at first, and his thoughts were not very clear, but the more he talked about it and thought about it, the more he felt that this was a good idea.
In order to pacify the Liao and destroy the slaves, although we knew that the sea was boundless and heading towards the sea was the trend of the world, there was not much money to invest in the navy.
The big salt merchants are rich, so it seems feasible to let them pay for the war, and it is also a lucrative business.
As for the enemies to be conquered, aren’t they easy to find?
The Toungoo Dynasty was always unwilling to submit and encroached on many of the Ming Dynasty's vassal territories; Annan, which broke away from the rule of the Ming Dynasty, was also a capricious and ungrateful person.
There were also Western colonizers who had come from afar to invade and occupy the Southeast Asian countries. Spain, the Netherlands, and Britain were all enemies of the Ming Dynasty in the long run.
It's not unfair to say that Zhu Youxiao was a warmonger, but wasn't external expansion and plunder an effective way to survive a major disaster?
Let the light of Ming Dynasty civilization shine on more lands, and let more people of all ethnic groups bathe in the grace of the Ming Empire.
Thinking of the suffering people all over the world, Zhu Youxiao suddenly felt great.
"Your Majesty." Wu Dazhang also noticed the emperor's change in mood and bowed cautiously, saying, "These big salt merchants are quite sensible. They have already purchased the five million pingliao bonds."
You first bought the debt to pacify Liao, and then asked for the emperor's grace, just like giving a gift and then asking someone to do something for you, which shows your sincerity.
If you make the purchase of the Ping Liao debt a prerequisite, then the nature of the matter changes. The emperor needs your millions of silver, and you want to negotiate with him. Are you tired of living?
Zhu Youxiao nodded and said, "Tell them to support the country and help the great cause of pacifying Liao. I have taken note of this."
"Yes, I will obey your order." Wu Dazhang breathed a sigh of relief.
As for the emperor, there was no need for him to be overly polite or express gratitude. Just a simple "I've got it in mind" was enough for those salt merchants.
You don't need immediate returns, but long-term investment, this is the correct attitude.
Although the salt ticket system was implemented, the emperor also left them a way out. Now that the emperor has recorded their contributions, even a little care in the future will be enough for them.
"Mr. Wu has done a great job," Zhu Youxiao praised with a smile. "Whether it's the exchange or the issuance of the Ping Liao debt, the results have satisfied me."
Wu Dazhang felt so relieved that he quickly bowed and expressed his gratitude.
With the support of the Chinese Chamber of Commerce, which monopolized foreign trade, the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China's various businesses were developing quite well, even surpassing the Royal Bank.
This is also normal. The Royal Bank was established by the emperor according to the standards of the national central bank, striving for long-term goals rather than focusing on short-term profits.
"Wu Zheng is not bad either." Zhu Youxiao said with a smile, "I have another important position for him and have summoned him back to the capital. You and your son will be reunited in the capital to spend the New Year together. After the New Year, he will take up his new post."
"On behalf of my son, I bow to thank God for His grace." Wu Dazhang truly missed his son. Tears welled up in his eyes, and he knelt down to kowtow. At the same time, he was genuinely happy for his son's bright future.
"Stand up!" Zhu Youxiao raised his hand slightly and said, "Make the plan for next year as soon as possible. I may have new tasks for you to do."
Compared to the functions of later banks, the current ICBC's business still lags far behind. Although limited in technology, such as long-distance communications, Zhu Youxiao believes there is still great potential to be tapped.
Especially in terms of deposits and loans, ICBC is still far from playing its role as a "reservoir" to promote circulation.
……………….
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